The "Other" Greenville

Now in its 12th year, the Slam Session Super Show in Greenville, North Carolina, seems to have all the important details worked out. Animated Attractions Car and Truck Club, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is very in touch with its audience, creating magical weekends throughout the year. Club members were on a first-name basis with lots of the 6,000 spectators who enjoyed this year's show and were thoroughly familiar with many of the 800 vehicles on display in the Pitt County Fairgrounds. Drivers, some of whom came from hundreds of miles away, travel to this "Gotta Be There" event because of the well-thought-out plan that squeezes a ton of action and entertainment all into one weekend.

The merriment began with the huge collection of modern customs on display Saturday and Sunday. (Modern customs is a term the club uses to describe the best cars, trucks, lowriders, and bikes traveling the custom circuit. Everyone, regardless of what you drive, is welcome at this show.) Dozens of vendors on the midway added to the options, providing ways to upgrade your ride with the latest in automotive accessories. Food and drink was plentiful whenever your personal fuel gauge began leaning toward Empty. But the real action always begins when the sun goes down on Saturday. If you've attended this show, you know the late-night entertainment at Slam Session is legendary. Events are always family-oriented before 9 p.m., but after that, the real partying begins. With several thousand people gathered in front of the huge stage, emcee Mike Pilgreen got the ball rolling with Fear Factor games that included such tasty morsels as jalapeno peppers, pickled pig's feet, and worms, just to see if fear was a factor for any of the mini-truckers daring enough to take the challenge. The big-bucks bikini contest attracted some of the hottest ladies in the area, each intent on convincing the crowd that she was the one. Knowing exactly what the crowd was looking for, Big Mike moved directly into the wet T-shirt contest, giving a whole new group of girls a shot at adding to their bead collection and bank account. The party continued well into the night, with many glad that they took advantage of the on-site camping - it cut down on expenses and gave them a front row seat at the after-party that ran until dawn.

The fun continued Sunday morning with Hangover Games, designed to help blow out the cobwebs that may be lingering from the late-night festivities. The amp toss demanded strength, while the egg toss required finesse. In the tug-of-war, it helped if the anchor men were big eaters. The bat spin? Well, nothing could help you there! With each event, it became clear that the crowd was having as much fun as the players.

But there was more. Own a window-rattling stereo? The team from the National Sound Pressure League orchestrated the stereo contest, rewarding the heavy hitters with trophies and applause for their achievements. If hydraulics are your thing, then bring your hopper or dancer and entertain the crowd. Winners in both categories left with an extra $500 in their jeans. Trash 4 Cash bought the top-three club trash piles for $500, $250, and $100. Winners in ten Best Of categories took home $500 each, as did the winner of the wet T-shirt contest. The top-three bikini finalists took home $500, $250, and $100 respectively, while the Best of Show winner, Glenn Krofchick, not only had fun throughout the weekend but also left $1,000 richer, thanks to his beautiful '67 Ford F-100.

If you'd like to be part of an event with a guaranteed success rate, put next year's Slam Session in Greenville on your list. Thousands have in the past and are still smiling at the fun and friends made during this annual Carolina weekend blast. Check www.animatedattractionscc.com for more information on this year's show and details on the 2006 get-together.